40" LED/Plasma TV

[TVlookout]

Hello,

I am a newbie to this forum. I salute all the gurus who have given me so much information.


I had a Samsung 32" LCD TV. It has developed problems after 2 years of working. I am thinking of purchasing a new 40"/42" LED/Plasma TV.
My Priorities are class best PQ and reliability. I have zeroed in the two TVs, Sony 40HX850 and Panasonic 42ST50. How can these two TVs be compared in terms of PQ and Price? Is 40ST50 available right now?

Further, are there any other options that I should look at?

I can arrange for this TVs to be brought from Dubai. How much will be the price difference? Is it worth taking the risk?

Thanks in advance,

 

[mohit_delhi]

Can you also specify the requirements..viewing distance, how brightly lit your room is etc.

As far as plasma is concerned, there are few things you need to keep in mind like break in period (first 200 hours), avoiding display of static images for longer periods etc.

If you are OK with all these & your requirement is to watch movies at night with dim lights (ST is very a very efficient series from Panny), then +1 to Plamsa, if you need a totally hassle free viewing without any worries about break in etc, then Sony is a very good choice with amazing PQ.

 

[just4kix]

Welcome to HFV.

I am sorry to hear that your 32" LCD has conked off. Is there no hope? What is the cost of repair?

Sony 40HX850 and Panasonic 42ST50 are two of the best TVs around today. There is a huge question mark on the 42ST50 availability. 40HX850 will be around 88K while I am hearing that 42ST50 is being offered at 75K (one FM just purchased it). I do not wish to go into the LED vs. plasma debate here. I suggest that you understand the pros and cons of both before making a decision (unless you have already done). I am personally inclined towards the ST50 being an owner myself.

It will be almost impossible to compare these two TVs side by side. For one thing, there is hardly any stock of St50 anywhere. Secondly, not many showrooms stock and display plasma TVs, especially high-end plasma models. Thirdly, even if you happen to find one, Sony demands showrooms to keep their high-end models away from the rest of the junta.

There is only one feature you should look for in a TV - that is Picture Quality. Everything else is not even secondary, it is tertiary.

You can certainly try to get the models in Dubai. In Dubai, there is a good chance to see both models in the same showroom. You will end up saving 15K or so. You will loose out on free installation, free wall mount(?), and warranty may not be honoured here. Besides Panasonic India provides 3 years panel warranty in India.

On the whole, you may enjoy more peace of mind with Sony HX850. But don't look at Sony and Panasonic only. Have a good look at Toshiba, Sharp, Philips, Samsung and LG.

 

[shanmune]

First thing I would say is that you have selected the best models.

There have been lots of discussion around the same in this forum, but still if you want a specific answer, I request you to go through other threads in this forum to know both advandatges and disadvantages of Plasma vs LED. YOu can even look at other websites to get the information. Once you are aware of the facts, then any one of the forum members will help you decide. The reason is that some times there could be some biased opinion (and hate speeches against either Plasma or LED) which might make you to take wrong decision. The moment you are well informed about pros/cons of both Plasma and LED, then you will be in a better position in getting suggestions from others.

 

[shanmune]

Hi TVlookout,

I posted my earlier message without knowing that just4kix had also posted a similar message.
He is right on the target with more details. So you can go by his advice.

 

[TVlookout]

Can you also specify the requirements..viewing distance, how brightly lit your room is etc.

As far as plasma is concerned, there are few things you need to keep in mind like break in period (first 200 hours), avoiding display of static images for longer periods etc.

If you are OK with all these & your requirement is to watch movies at night with dim lights (ST is very a very efficient series from Panny), then +1 to Plamsa, if you need a totally hassle free viewing without any worries about break in etc, then Sony is a very good choice with amazing PQ.

I am sitting at a distance of 10 ft. I would be using the TV to watch SD (most of the regional content) and HD (English movies). The room is lit fairly well.

 

[TVlookout]

Welcome to HFV.

I am sorry to hear that your 32" LCD has conked off. Is there no hope? What is the cost of repair?

Sony 40HX850 and Panasonic 42ST50 are two of the best TVs around today. There is a huge question mark on the 42ST50 availability. 40HX850 will be around 88K while I am hearing that 42ST50 is being offered at 75K (one FM just purchased it). I do not wish to go into the LED vs. plasma debate here. I suggest that you understand the pros and cons of both before making a decision (unless you have already done). I am personally inclined towards the ST50 being an owner myself.

It will be almost impossible to compare these two TVs side by side. For one thing, there is hardly any stock of St50 anywhere. Secondly, not many showrooms stock and display plasma TVs, especially high-end plasma models. Thirdly, even if you happen to find one, Sony demands showrooms to keep their high-end models away from the rest of the junta.

There is only one feature you should look for in a TV - that is Picture Quality. Everything else is not even secondary, it is tertiary.

You can certainly try to get the models in Dubai. In Dubai, there is a good chance to see both models in the same showroom. You will end up saving 15K or so. You will loose out on free installation, free wall mount(?), and warranty may not be honoured here. Besides Panasonic India provides 3 years panel warranty in India.

On the whole, you may enjoy more peace of mind with Sony HX850. But don't look at Sony and Panasonic only. Have a good look at Toshiba, Sharp, Philips, Samsung and LG.

The back panel of the TV has to replaced to repair the TV. However, Samsung wants me to pay the entire amount of 13000 Rs.

I had a demo of Sony 40HX850 and LG 42LM6410. However, the TV showrooms did not have SD connection. I don't know whether the
nonavialability of SD is by accident or by design. The LG 42LM6410 looked better in 3D. However, I should confess that the difference could
be due to the different 3D content played.

I also wanted to check whether the sony 3D glasses were heavy or not. However, the glasses the show room people gave for demo had replacable cells and not rechargeable ones.

Still looking at various options.

Thanks.

 

[Dirac]

You did not mention how you liked PQ of Sony 40HX850.
As rightly put in the earlier messages, you need to give first priority to PQ.
Luckily these days all TVs are coming out with almost same features. So you can safely allow PQ to be the decisive factor.
Get a good satellite dish connection for SD and you will be very pleased with HX850.
Feed it HD and then it will be so juicy.. :licklips:

Again don't bias towards 3d and make a wrong choice for the 2D.

 

[gsurya]

I bought a Sony HX850 couple of weeks back & can totally vouch for it.. PQ is sensational in all forms.. once I hv added a surround system, I can be seated in one place for the rest of my life :O